countyscore
46.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Soil Quality 69Lawn Care 64.9

County Report Card

About Marion County, Illinois

Marion County Nears National Median

With a composite score of 46.7, Marion County sits just below the national median of 50.0. It offers a balanced profile that remains competitive with many Midwestern peers.

A Competitively Priced Illinois Option

Marion ranks below the Illinois state average of 52.8, but remains a notable entry in the southern region. It presents a more affordable alternative to the state's more expensive northern hubs.

Clean Water and High Affordability

Water quality is a standout feature with an impressive score of 86.0. Residents also benefit from high affordability, reflected in a cost score of 63.6 and median rent of just $771.

Tax Pressures and Risk Factors

The local tax score of 6.9 reflects a high 1.707% tax rate relative to the national landscape. Environmental risk also poses a challenge with a low score of 22.9.

Best for Budget-Minded Small Families

This county is a strong fit for families seeking low housing costs and reliable infrastructure. It appeals most to those who prioritize monthly savings over high-income growth.

204060801005.962.959.848.442.937.622.98656.8Tax5.9Cost62.9Safety59.8Health48.4Schools42.9Income37.6Risk22.9Water86Weather56.846.2/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Marion County DNA

Foverall

How Marion County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Marion County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (5.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
5.9-46.1
Cost
62.9+14.899999999999999
Safety
59.8
Health
48.4
Schools
42.9-11.100000000000001
Income
37.6-13.399999999999999
Risk
22.9-24.1
Water
86+28
Weather
56.8
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Marion County?

Many homeowners in Marion County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$103,000

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$794/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$103,000/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,240/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

34.9

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Jefferson County
Illinois
51.4
Fayette County
Illinois
52.4
Clinton County
Illinois
52.8
Clay County
Illinois
56.4
Washington County
Illinois
63.3
Wayne County
Illinois
52.3
Bond County
Illinois
55
Effingham County
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50.3

Deep Dives

Marion County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Marion County

via TaxByCounty

Marion County offers below-average tax rates

Marion County's effective tax rate of 1.707% sits below the national median of 1.728%, placing it in the 45th percentile nationally. Despite homes here being more affordable than the national average, the median property tax of $1,709 is 36% lower than the national median of $2,690.

Marion ranks low in Illinois tax burden

Marion County's effective rate of 1.707% falls below Illinois's state average of 1.831%, making it one of the more tax-friendly counties in the state. At just $1,709 in median annual property taxes, Marion County residents pay 39% less than the state median of $2,782.

Lowest taxes among regional peers

Marion County's 1.707% effective rate is the lowest among its neighboring counties—significantly below Massac County (1.499% rate but higher median tax) and well below Madison County (1.925%). For affordability-focused homeowners, Marion offers a genuine advantage in the regional market.

Annual tax bill averages just $1,709

On Marion County's median home value of $100,100 and effective rate of 1.707%, homeowners pay approximately $1,709 annually in property taxes. This is among the lowest in the state and reflects both lower home values and moderate tax rates.

Still room to verify your assessment

Even in lower-tax counties like Marion, overassessments occur when property values are incorrectly estimated or increased without justification. Homeowners should request a reassessment review with the Marion County Assessor—it costs nothing and could unlock additional savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Marion County

via IncomeByCounty

Marion earnings lag far behind national median

Marion County's median household income of $60,839 falls $13,916 short of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the bottom 35% of U.S. counties. This gap indicates Marion households earn notably less than the typical American family.

Marion ranks below state average income

At $60,839, Marion County trails Illinois's statewide median of $68,580 by $7,741, placing it in the lower half of the state's 102 counties. The shortfall reflects economic challenges and fewer high-wage employment opportunities compared to state peers.

Marion struggles against stronger regional economies

Marion County's $60,839 median income lags Marshall County ($69,818) and Madison County ($74,800) by $9,000–$14,000 per household. Its per capita income of $32,199 also falls below the state average of $36,009, indicating weaker individual earning power across the county.

Affordable housing keeps Marion accessible

Marion's rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% means renters spend roughly $770 monthly on housing, staying comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold. Median home values of $100,100 make homeownership realistic for median-income families, though lower household earnings limit overall wealth accumulation.

Strategic savings unlock opportunity in Marion

Marion households earning $60,839 must prioritize high-impact financial moves: building a 3–6 month emergency fund and maximizing any employer 401(k) match first. Even modest contributions of $100 monthly to a savings account or IRA compounds to $18,000+ over a decade, bridging the earning gap with stronger regions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Marion County

via CrimeByCounty

Marion County maintains high safety standards

Marion County's total crime rate of 924.3 per 100,000 residents is roughly 60% lower than the national average of 2,385.5. The county achieves a safety score of 98.5, indicating a generally secure environment for the community.

Slightly behind the state average

Marion County's safety score of 98.5 is just below the Illinois state average of 98.7. The total crime rate of 924.3 is slightly higher than the state average of 835.0, placing it in the middle tier of Illinois counties.

A stable presence in Southern Illinois

Marion County holds its own against regional neighbors, with six reporting agencies keeping the crime rate under 1,000 incidents per 100,000. It remains a safer option compared to the more volatile urban centers in the southern half of the state.

Breakdown of local crime types

Property crime stands at 732.5 per 100,000 residents, while the violent crime rate is 191.8. Both categories remain significantly safer than the national averages of 2,015.7 for property and 369.8 for violent crime.

Protecting your Marion County property

To keep property crime rates low, residents are encouraged to use smart home technology and reinforced locks. Simple community awareness and reporting suspicious activity to local police help maintain the county's safety profile.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Marion County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Exceptionally Wet

Marion County's 54.8°F annual average temperature is notably higher than the national median. It stands out for its 44.9 inches of annual precipitation, making it one of the wetter regions in the state.

A Leader in Statewide Rainfall

Marion County's 44.9 inches of rain significantly exceeds the Illinois state average of 41.7 inches. Its 54.8°F annual average also places it well above the state mean of 52.8°F.

Sizzling Summer Heat Days

Marion faces 32 days of extreme heat over 90°F, more than Madison or Macoupin. It also has one of the lowest snowfall totals in the region at just 10.9 inches.

Long Summers and Brief Snow

The July average is a sultry 77.2°F, fueling over a month of extreme heat days. Winters remain relatively warm, with the December-February average staying above freezing at 32.7°F.

Water Management and Heat Relief

Homeowners must plan for high moisture levels and potential localized flooding due to the 44.9-inch rain total. Cooling systems will be heavily utilized during the 32 days of extreme annual heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Marion County

via SoilByCounty

Slightly Acidic Soils of the Interior

Marion County soils average a pH of 6.32, making them slightly more acidic than the national median of 6.5. This pH level is common for the region and remains within the healthy range for most agricultural production.

Fine Texture and High Silt

The soil contains 68.1% silt and 19.0% clay, creating a fine-textured environment that retains moisture well. The 13.0% sand content is relatively low, meaning the soil feels smooth and holds its shape when wet.

Consistent Water Storage Potential

Organic matter levels reach 1.92%, just under the national average and significantly below the state average of 2.94%. However, an available water capacity of 0.207 in/in helps the soil act as a reliable reservoir for plant roots.

Awaiting Local Hydrology Data

Specific federal data for dominant drainage classes and taxonomic orders is currently unavailable for this area. Based on the 69.0 soil score, residents should focus on adding compost to improve structure and natural drainage over time.

Success in Zone 6b

Marion County is situated in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b, allowing for a diverse range of perennial flowers and vegetables. The soil provides a stable base for home gardens if you manage for the slightly lower organic content.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Marion County

via LawnByCounty

Challenging Conditions in Central Illinois

Marion County holds a lawn difficulty score of 64.9, indicating it is more challenging to maintain than the state average of 69.8. Situated in Zone 6b, the local climate presents unique hurdles for homeowners compared to the national median score of 50.0.

High Heat Impacts Growing Schedules

Lawns receive 44.9 inches of rain annually, but 32 extreme heat days—five more than the state average—can stress cool-season grasses. While specific growing season data is limited, 3966 growing degree days suggest you will likely mow frequently during the peak season.

Acidic Soil Requires Careful Management

The soil pH of 6.32 is near the middle of the ideal range, supporting a healthy ecosystem for grass roots. Because specific texture data is unavailable, residents should observe how the 19% clay base handles heavy rain before making major amendments.

Severe Drought Demands Water Conservation

Extreme conditions persist here, as 76.4% of the county currently suffers from severe drought or worse. This follow-up to 28 weeks of drought over the last year makes water conservation and mulch-mowing essential for lawn survival.

Target Your Seeding for Mid-April

Spring seeding becomes viable after April 9th, though the October 26th frost date marks a relatively quick end to the peak season. Tall fescue is a resilient choice for this zone's variable temperature and moisture levels.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Marion County's county score?
Marion County, Illinois has a composite county score of 46.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Marion County rank among counties in Illinois?
Marion County ranks #79 among all counties in Illinois on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Marion County, Illinois?
The median annual property tax in Marion County is $1,759, with an effective tax rate of 1.71%. This earns Marion County a tax score of 5.9/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Marion County?
The median household income in Marion County, Illinois is $61,240 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Marion County earns an income score of 37.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Marion County, Illinois a good place to live?
Marion County scores 46.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #79 in Illinois. The best way to evaluate Marion County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Marion County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.